Half A Century High Lyrics - Phil Ochs

In the tube where I was born 

I could have sworn 

There was so much to see 

There was so little to be 

But I was free 

World at my command 

Through the dots I ran 

Looking for a man 

Who looked like me 

And now it can be told 

I'm a quarter of a century old 

But I'm half a century high 

In the tube where I was raised 

I was amazed 

On the pictures I would lean 

That went flashing on the screen 

Oh, I was dazed 

But then my eyes were made 

Hypnotized, insane [unverified] 

Buried in my brain 

In a blinding blaze 

And now it can be told 

I'm a quarter of a century old 

But I'm half a century high 

In the tube where I was grown 

I was alone 

The figure on the floor 

(Laying on the floor) 

The dream behind the door 

(I'd lock the closet door) 

The sound was low 

Ballgames on the street 

Disappeared behind my feet 

Out of breath my heart would be 

To see another show 

And now it can be told 

I'm a quarter of a century old 

But I'm half a century high 

In the tube where I was made 

I was afraid 

Spinning through the space 

Another scene, another face 

Another shade 

Mirror of my mind 

On electric wheels of wine 

Living on the lines 

That were displayed 

And now it can be told 

I'm a quarter of a century old 

But I'm half a century high 

In the tube where I was fed 

I lost my head 

I watch the lives they led 

Watch them to the end 

And then again 

An open kind of laugh 

I gave all the mind I had 

And whenever I was sad 

I had my friends 

And now it can be told 

I'm a quarter of a century old 

But I'm half a century high 

In the tube where I was killed 

I was fulfilled 

Such an easy way to win 

Talking to my twin 

No sign of sin 

The sacrifice was small 

Fascination was the fall 

I was extended by the wall 

That held me in 

And now it can be told 

I'm a quarter of a century old 

But I'm half a century high 

In the tube where I was killed 

I was fulfilled 

The lies of light would bend 

I'd stare until the end 

And then again 

Faded and the fad 

I gave all the mind I had 

And whenever I was sad 

I had my friends 

And now it can be told 

I'm a quarter of a century old 

But I'm half a century high 

In the tube where I was born 

I could have sworn 

There was so much to see 

There was so little to be 

But I was free 

World at my command 

Through the dots I ran 

Looking for a man 

Who looked like me 

And now it can be told 

I'm a quarter of a century old 

But I'm half a century high